​Presidio of San Francisco (September 7, 2012) -- You might say “green” building is in the Presidio Trust’s “jeans.” The Inn at the Presidio, the park’s first overnight lodging, has become the tenth Presidio building to be awarded a certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the fifth project to earn certification at the gold level, the second highest rating. USGBC designates LEED ratings of certified, silver, gold and platinum.Use of recycled materials, including blue jeans, contributed to the designation.

“The Inn is a magnificent showcase of the Trust’s commitment to both historic preservation and green building design,” said Joshua Bagley, Trust Director of Real Estate and project manager for the Inn rehabilitation. “After all, the ‘greenest’ building is one that already exists and has been given another 50 years of life.”

Green Strategies

“Green” materials have been used throughout the building, from the carpets and rugs, to the paint on the walls to the insulation inside them—which is made from repurposed cotton denim. The most advanced architectural and construction techniques and materials were used as historic Pershing Hall underwent an environmentally sensitive rehabilitation that transformed the stately brick building into the park’s first lodge. The Inn features 22 spacious rooms, including 17 suites with fireplaces as well as an inviting front porch with rocking chairs, a dining room for breakfast and evening receptions and an outdoor deck with a fire pit.

The building features modern, energy-efficient heating, plumbing and electrical systems and appliances, and was designed to maximize natural ventilation and lighting. Whenever possible, the building’s existing features, including its hardwood floors, original doors and light fixtures, were preserved, along with its grand, Tuscan columns allowing the Inn to maintain Pershing Hall’s historic character.

“The Inn’s interior celebrates the Presidio’s rich past with artisan details and Presidio memorabilia, complemented by comfortable, contemporary furnishings,” said Terry Haney, Inn at the Presidio General Manager. “Historic photographs and regional art bring to life the Inn’s past and its beautiful natural surroundings. The Inn is an ideal starting point to experience the history and beauty of the Presidio, including miles of hiking trails, public events, cultural destinations and wild open spaces.”

Inn at the Presidio follows green housekeeping practices and has a rigorous recycling and composting program that diverts the majority of its waste from landfills. There is a storm water collection pond and treatment bay on the grounds that reduce runoff and help further the Trust’s restoration of the Tennessee Hollow Watershed. The Inn’s location features easy access to the free PresidiGo Shuttle and related urban transit connections. For Inn photos and reservations: http://www.presidio.gov/lodging/Pages/inn-at-the-presidio.aspx

Pershing Hall

Built in 1903, Pershing Hall was originally home to unmarried officers during the Presidio’s former life as a U.S. Army post. Later it served as a visiting officers’ quarters until the Army’s departure in 1994. The elegant Georgian-Revival style building was named for General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing, who served at the Presidio and went on to become commander of the American Expeditionary Force in France during World War I, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Preservation at the Presidio

The Presidio is the largest historic preservation project underway in the nation today. More than half of the park’s 469 historic buildings have been rehabilitated. The Inn is the tenth project in the Presidio to receive LEED certification (six have been at the gold or platinum level). And the Trust expects another eight will be certified over the next 12-15 months, further cementing the Trust’s status as the leader in applying green building practices to historic preservation. For more on the Trust’s green building program and a complete list of LEED certified projects in the Presidio visit: http://www.presidio.gov/about/Pages/green-building-LEED.aspx.

The Presidio Trust (the Trust) is a distinguished federal agency created to save an historic American place and transform it to serve a new national purpose. The Trust was established by the United States Congress in 1996 to administer the Presidio of San Francisco, an urban national park site located at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. Today, over 2,700 people live in the park’s former military housing, and more than 200 organizations have located in Presidio buildings, attracted by the Presidio’s beauty and historic significance. Under the Trust’s management, the Presidio has been transformed into a stunning visitor destination with an extensive system of trails and scenic overlooks; rehabilitated historic buildings; programs that teach about the Presidio’s military history and natural resources, and tenants and residents who help to sustain the park. To learn more about the Trust: Presidio.gov